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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  6. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  18. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  19. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. We're on a ________________ here.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. track — a song
  5. rule — to rule out
  6. rule — a law
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. bulb — for light
  9. can — to be able to
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. can — a tin
  12. suit — clothes
  13. bulb — for light
  14. roll — a cake
  15. track — a path
  16. suit — to fit
  17. rule — government
  18. track — to keep track
  19. roll — a list
  20. can — a tin
  21. suit — in cards
  22. roll — on a roll
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. racket — a loud noise

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com